Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has vehemently denounced what he characterizes as an unwarranted act of aggression directed at him by a uniformed police officer during the ‘Save the Judiciary’ protest at Parliament House.
A widely circulated video captured Afenyo-Markin appearing visibly distressed as he attempted to strike an officer positioned behind a barricade during the demonstration on May 5.
In a statement released on May 5, 2025, Afenyo-Markin detailed the incident, claiming that Constable Forson forcefully struck him in the chest near his heart as he approached the barricade to submit a petition.
‘The force of the blow left me disoriented, and I was noticeably shaken and struggling to breathe,’ he remarked. Afenyo-Markin noted that senior police officials and colleagues promptly intervened to assist him, providing water and helping him regain his composure before continuing the petition presentation.
He stressed that his reaction was solely a response to the officer’s behavior, dismissing allegations that he was the aggressor.
‘What makes this assault particularly reprehensible is that the officer was being openly reprimanded by his superiors and fellow officers at that moment, yet he defiantly asserted that he was unconcerned about my identity,’ he stated.
In the aftermath of the incident, Afenyo-Markin declared his intention to formally request the Inspector-General of Police to conduct a thorough investigation into the officer’s conduct.
He expressed alarm that the officer had inexplicably vanished from the scene following the confrontation, raising concerns about potential attempts to protect him from accountability.
The Minority Leader expressed disapproval of efforts to distort the narrative, alleging that certain factions within the opposition are leveraging the incident to divert focus from the fundamental constitutional issues raised by the demonstration.
“We must remain focused on the demonstration’s intent. Our march was to uphold the Constitution and safeguard the independence of the judiciary—principles that require unwavering protection,” he emphasized.
In a related development, the Ghana Police Service has summoned Afenyo-Markin for inquiries regarding the incident.
